Letters: North County, March 3, 2013

Yoga is, as Logan Jenkins says, an exercise (“Twists and turns in Encinitas school yoga lawsuit,” Feb. 23). It is also uniquely a religious exercise. Jenkins needs to ask himself for whom this program is designed, and why.

Transcendental meditation is a worldwide quasi-religious movement, one of whose precepts is to get the young mind turned positively toward its aims. Even though the yoga program introduced in elementary schools is enabled by a $500,000-plus grant from the Jois Foundation, it does not arouse in Jenkins’ usually curious mind a question of why an exercise program should be this one, not another of the thousands that exist, most having nothing to do with TM? Or why should Jois or any other foundation pay such money to have its program introduced to elementary children?

I have DirecTV, and it has a channel, unusual to say the least, called Link. I watched recently a program on TM, produced by a young German man who formerly was a practitioner of TM. If you like fat, rich, white men walking about in priestly robes, transcendental meditation is just your cup of tea.

Rajas, maharajahs, “Emerald City” preposterousness and plenty of business acumen is told of during the film presentation, including the above inculcation of TM at very early ages. Please research with an open mind. It is one thing for adults to practice whatever exercise program they want, but leave to their parents the inculcation of religious values in children.

My thanks to Jennifer Sedlock, and to all who are taking this on. Google “Jois Foundation.”

Patricia Sharp

Carlsbad

Keeping our communities safe

The victims of gun violence and their loved ones deserve a vote, and so do our children and communities, before more senseless murders occur out of our apathy or misplaced priorities. I see Darrell Issa has been favorably rated by the National Rifle Association, but we know the NRA is representing the interests of the gun industry, not of gun owners. Who represents non-gun owners? It’s time to put people’s well-being before profit.

Will Issa support legislation to limit the capacity of magazines to no more than 10 rounds? Will he support legislation requiring universal background checks — which are supported by 92 percent of Americans and even 74 percent of NRA members?

Will he support legislation requiring gun owners and new buyers to receive mandatory firearm training and to pass a test to be granted a license? Will he support a ban on military-style assault weapons?

These will be very important steps toward keeping our kids and communities safer from gun violence. Thanks for giving serious consideration to this issue.